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Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1932, Page 4

Tiie British Government is making a praiseworthy effort to settle the question of a Parliament for India. This ‘has been a controversial subject for a long time. It will be recalled that a conference was held in London last year, . and Indian reresentatives ; including Gandhi were present. The efforts to reconcile the tribal and caste interests were futile. But since then the Government has had the advice of leading authorities on India, and a proposal lias now been .shaped definite]y.. But there, were objections to be hbiard at once. The tribal interests and caste rules, it would appear, are impossible to co-ordinate off-hand, but if the leaders of public, thought in India would treat the proposal as only a beginning on which to found the ultimate constitution, there would be some hope if not of finality, at least of betterment. When it is considered how irreconcilable was the attitude of ! Mr Gandhi, it is cf course hopeless to expect complete unity of agreement, hut there should bo sor e prospect of n majority agreement if the position were approached in the same wholehearted mangjr of the British Government; Tliore' has been ample evidence of the earnestness of the I "British authorities to find a selection, and Indian public opinion should he the first to rer-gnise that favourable disposition. But the restrictions and limitations of casto in India are so severe, that the observance of its rights are paramount. Some way may yet he found to overcome this barrier to a better understanding but till it

is accomplished the constitution will be short of adequate .accomplishment. However the Government ware wise to attempt - a Something attempted, something'done. The whole situation is too critical to leave unattended, and if the beginning now put forward can be taken as a working basis to reach some degree of finality the future of India should be more tranquil.